Auston Matthews won his first Hart Trophy for NHL MVP in 2021-22 after becoming the first player in 10 years to score 60 goals. He's on pace for over 70 this season? Is he a shoe-in if he hits 70? While the NHL enjoys the annual NHL All-Star Game, Simon Benoit gets to enjoy the distinction of being the last Toronto Maple Leafs player to score a regular season goal. On Saturday, the 6-foot-3 defenseman was on the ice trying to help his team stave off a late charge from the Winnipeg Jets when he came into contact with the puck and cleared it out of harm's way. It just so happened to find its way into an empty net for the player's first goal of the season. His teammates were thrilled for the Laval, Quebec native. "He's been searching for it and has lots of chances," Auston Matthews said with a smile after the team's 4-2 win against the Jets last week. "I was pretty excited to see him get that one. I think everybody was." This week, Benoit was a guest on the Mitts Off podcast with Luke Gazdic [https://www.youtube.com/@MittsOff]. The players were teammates for a couple of seasons with the San Diego Gulls of the AHL, where they reminisced on a bunch of topics. Gazdic brought up Toronto's jersey ad sponsor from the Dairy Farmers of Ontario, whose logo is a giant 'Milk' word that shows up on the Maple Leafs' jersey. It turns out that's perfect for the milk-loving Benoit. "I should be a sponsor for that, I drink milk every single day," Benoit said. "If I don't have my big glass of milk at home before going to bed, I won't sleep." Gazdic, making sure Benoit wasn't joking with him, pressed Benoit further.. "I'm serious, a big fresh glass of milk in the fridge, Benoit said. "I've got it in glass (bottles)" The type of milk? "3.8 percent, the whole milk, that's the real stuff." The Maple Leafs signed the undrafted Benoit to a one-year deal in August and he discussed several topics with Gazdic including his pre-season debut where he had three minor penalties. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2NtADVGVNY[/embed] Benoit has overcome that slow start with the Maple Leafs and has become an everyday contributor to the team. He leads the Leafs with 92 hits despite playing in only 33 games. "I can't score a f-----' goal, but I'm glad to hit the bodies for you guys," Benoit said after receiving the club's player-of-the-game belt following a 2-1 overtime win against his former team, the Anaheim Ducks on Jan. 3 Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related Handing Out the 2023-24 Mid-Season NHL Awards to the Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/handing-out-the-2023-24-mid-season-nhl-awards-to-the-maple-leafs] Auston Matthews, Justin Bieber and Morgan Rielly Draft William Nylander and Mitch Marner, All Maple Leafs to Play on Same Team at NHL All-Star Game, Photos and Full Rosters [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/auston-matthews-justin-bieber-and-morgan-rielly-draft-william-nylander-and-mitch-marner-all-maple-leafs-to-play-on-same-team-at-nhl-all-star-game-photos-and-full-rosters] 'This Came In As I Was Getting Into The Uber': How the Maple Leafs' Players Chose What to Wear to NHL's All-Star Weekend Red Carpet [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/this-came-in-as-i-was-getting-into-the-uber-how-the-maple-leafs-players-chose-what-to-wear-to-nhls-all-star-weekend-red-carpet] News from THN.com THN Archive: New Avs Winger Parise Had Best Season with the New Jersey Devils [https://thehockeynews.com/news/thn-archive-new-avs-winger-parise-had-best-season-as-a-new-jersey-devil] Screen Shots: Blues' New Identity, Devils' Coaching and NHL/NHLPA Assistance Program [https://thehockeynews.com/news/screen-shots-blues-new-identity-devils-coaching-and-nhl-nhlpa-assistance-program] NHL Sour Rankings: Bottom Five Teams Establish Themselves in the Race for Celebrini [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-sour-rankings-bottom-five-teams-establish-themselves-in-the-race-for-celebrini]
